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Pocketknife Pledge

In return for the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to designated Cub Scout functions, I agree to the following:

I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.

I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when not in use.

I will not use my pocketknife when it might injure someone near me.

I promise never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.

I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at all times.

Pocketknife rules

A pocket knife is an important tool. You can do many things with its blades. The cutting blade is the one you will use most of the time. With it you can make shavings and chips and carve all kinds of things.

Take good care of your knife.

Always remember that a knife is a tool, not a toy.

Use care to protect yourself and others.

Think when you whittle or carve.

Things To Remember

A knife is a tool, not a toy.

Safety

Always establish a safety circle. Place the closed knife in your hand and then extend your arm. Move your arm around you. If another person is within reach, move to a new location and try again to establish a safety circle.

Properly hand off the knife. Never throw a pocket knife. Also be careful not to drop the knife. The proper hand-off procedure is to place the closed knife in your hand and offer it to other person. Only let go of the knife after the other person has #1 established a firm grip on the knife and #2 said thank you. The thank you indicates that the other person is now taking responsibility for the knife.

Keep your knife sharp. A sharp knife is safer because it is less likely to slip and cut you.

Handling a knife.

How to open

Cut away from you

How to close

Care and Handling

Don’t use on something that will dull or break it

Keep the blade clean.

Keep the knife dry.

Carry a sharpening stone along with the knife.

Sharpening a knife

When carrying a pocket knife, you should also carry a sharpening stone. Sharpening stones are also known as “whetstone” or caraborundum stones. The stone should be about 1" by 3" in size.

Place the stone on a level surface.

Wet the stone with a little water or oil.

Place the blade of the knife flat on the stone, then raise the back edge about the width of the blade itself, keeping the cutting edge on the stone.

Draw the knife straight back toward you, or move it straight back and forth putting pressure on it only when you pull it toward you. This is always better than moving it in a circular fashion.

Turn the blade over and repeat on the other side an equal number of times.

Wipe clean on the sole of your shoe.

It will take half an hour to sharpen a dull knife, but once sharp, a minute a day will keep it in perfect shape.